Charlottetown – The Prince Edward Island Working Group for a Livable Income is turning the tables on candidates in the current federal election by leaving door hangers for them to pick up as they go door-to-door across the Island. The Livable Income group wants to be sure candidates all get the message that eliminating poverty matters to Island voters.
“Politicians have often used door hangers to let voters know they dropped by. But if candidates miss seeing someone at home, they miss hearing what issues are important to that household,” says Livable Income member Jane Ledwell of the PEI Status of Women Advisory Council. “We want politicians to get a message about eliminating poverty, whether we’re at home when they come by or not. That’s why we’ve made a door hanger with our recommendations for eliminating poverty.”
The door hanger calls for the federal government to address issues including affordable housing, universal childcare, the growing gap between rich and poor, gaps in Employment Insurance, needs for seniors and children, our national responsibility for international aid, and the ongoing low income of groups such as Aboriginal Canadians, newcomers to Canada, and persons with disabilities.
The door hanger is available from the Voluntary Resource Centre, 81 Prince Street, Charlottetown, or can be downloaded to print on an ordinary sheet of paper here.
“We’re very concerned about Islanders who lack a livable income that allows them to meet their needs and live in good health and with dignity,” says Livable Income member Susan Fitzpatrick of Cooper Institute. “Candidates in the federal election should be concerned, too, because people with low incomes are voters and citizens. Members of our group who provide direct service to Islanders are very concerned about the coming winter. They’re hearing a lot of concern about rent increases, rising costs for food, and very high prices for furnace oil. Income levels are not keeping up. We know people with low incomes will not be able to keep up with their bills and stay warm and feed their families well this winter.”
“Band-aid solutions aren’t working for people who are experiencing poverty,” says Livable Income member John Gallie of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. “We need to look at what causes poverty to make a real change. We have to tell our candidates and our government that it is in their interests, and in all Canadians’ interests, for citizens to have a livable income.”
“I think it’s very important for candidates to know about eliminating poverty,” says Livable Income member Leo Garland of ALERT and People First. “I tell them how important it is whenever I see them. But if I don’t see them in person, I’m glad I’ll have a door hanger to give them.”
The Working Group for a Livable Income is a coalition of groups that work against poverty, including women’s organizations, Acadian and francophone groups, food security promoters, advocates for persons with disabilities, unions, and other anti-poverty advocate organizations.
